Embattled Attorney General Jeff Sessions was spotting dining with top Justice Department officials Wednesday night, just hours after he was publicly criticized by President Trump.

Trump on Wednesday slammed Sessions on Twitter for having an “Obama guy” investigate allegations of government surveillance abuse, calling it "disgraceful."

Why is A.G. Jeff Sessions asking the Inspector General to investigate potentially massive FISA abuse. Will take forever, has no prosecutorial power and already late with reports on Comey etc. Isn’t the I.G. an Obama guy? Why not use Justice Department lawyers? DISGRACEFUL!

In a brief statement issued Wednesday following the president's tweet, Sessions defended his "integrity and honor," vowing to press on.

On "America's Newsroom" on Thursday, Weekly Standard editor-in-chief Steve Hayes said Sessions "sent a message" to Trump by dining with Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein and Solicitor General Noel Francisco.

"It should be noted that sources close to Sessions told Axios later that this was not intended to send a message, but whether it was intended or not, I think it does send a message," Hayes said.

Some have speculated that the meeting was planned as pushback or an act of solidarity against the president, host Sandra Smith pointed out.

Hayes said Trump is putting Sessions in a very difficult spot by calling for further investigations into former President Obama and FISA abuse.

"Jeff Sessions can't afford to have these investigations if they're to take place or if they're to continue looking political," Hayes said. "And every time Donald Trump tweets that, that is the appearance it gives."

As far as the possibility of Sessions resigning, Hayes said the attorney general's statement pushing back against Trump is a sign that he feels "pretty secure" in his position and believes he has an obligation to carry out the duties of his office.

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